1000 Books before Kindergarten

1000 Books Before Kindergarten encourages families and caregivers to read 1000 books with their young children before they enter kindergarten.

Studies have shown that families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help strengthen language skills and build vocabulary–two important tools when children begin learning to read in kindergarten.

How does it work?

1. Come into the library to register your child and take home your first reading log.
2. Every time you read a book with your child, write the title on the reading log.
3. When you complete the first 100 books, bring your child and your reading log into the library.  Your child will have their picture taken, receive a sticker and a small prize.  You will also be given your next reading log.  When you complete 1000 books, your child will receive a certificate noting his/her accomplishment and a prize.

FAQs

Can we really read that many books before kindergarten?
Yes! If you read one book a day you can complete the program within three years.

Can other people read to my child besides me?
Stories read by parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. all count. You can also count books read at story times.

But my child wants to read the same book over and over!
The good news is that repetition is important to learning and you can count that book multiple times.